Search bushwalks Page 12

Environment

The meaning of the word "Kanku" is shelter. And the "Breakaways" part comes from the European settlers to capture the awe-inspiring visual beauty of the area. These towering and vibrant mounds form all sorts of terrain, from mountains & valleys to scenic cliffs. Home to a wide array of native flora, including mallee and acacia species, as well as various wildlife such as the fat-tailed dunnart, the red kangaroo, and echidnas. The formation of the Breakaways' landscape is believed to result from an ancient inland sea evaporating due to a continental shift that led to a warmer climate. This place showcases the remarkable diversity of our amazing world. From the lookout points, the expansive vistas are simply awe-inspiring. They accentuate the vast open spaces and the vibrant backdrop. As the sun hits the rocks and sand at different angles, it paints the desert in all sorts of colours. 'Salt & Pepper' and 'Castle' (rock formations) are visible to the east, along with the rest of the hills and valley. Both lookout points are easily accessible by car, and a vehicle entry permit is required. You can obtain the permit online or from the Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre. Let us begin by acknowledging the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Kanku-Breakaways

5 km return

1 h 15 min to 2 h 15 min

1 h 15 min to 2 h 15 min

Pets

Environment

Starting from the car park at the intersection of Snozwells Road and the Southern Boundary Track, Ngarkat Conservation Park, this walk takes you on a circuit past Tyms Lookout via the Tyms Lookout Hike. Known for its peaceful surroundings, Ngarkat Conservation Park protects important mallee and heath communities that extend across 270,000 hectares of vegetated sand dunes, making it an ideal destination for outback adventurers with a variety of bushwalking, camping and off-road driving experiences. The park is home to a diverse range of native wildlife, including western grey kangaroos, echidnas, emus, pygmy-possums, dunnarts and over 120 species of birds, with an abundance of wildflowers and orchids, especially in spring. Located in the southwest corner of the park, this hike winds through mallee bush and climbs up to the Tyms Lookout, providing spectacular views over the vast mallee landscape and surrounding farmland. This loop consists of sandy walking trails, with some short steep hills and uneven natural surfaces, suitable for average fitness levels. Camping is available nearby at Bucks Camp, which has several campsites, caravan sites, picnic tables and campfire rings. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Tyms Lookout Hike

5.1 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Run

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Environment

Starting from the car park at the end of Morialta Falls Road, Woodforde, this walk takes you on a circuit around Morialta Conservation Park via the Second Falls Gorge Hike. This challenging loop walk skirts around the edge of Morialta Gorge past several lookouts, offering excellent views of First Falls, Second Falls and the gorge. The hike begins winding uphill to the Kookaburra Rock Lookout, then follows a boardwalk across the creek at the top of Second Falls, providing outstanding views across the gorge. After passing the Eagles Nest Lookout, which offers spectacular views of First Falls, the hike climbs steeply along the Yurrebilla Trail past the Deep View Lookout, with panoramic views of the Adelaide Plains, the city and the coast. This loop consists mainly of narrow dirt trails, steep hills and uneven rocky surfaces that may be slippery when wet, and can be done in either direction. Dogs on a leash are permitted only in the park's recreation zone. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Second Falls Gorge Hike

5.2 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h

Second Falls Gorge Hike

Waterfall

Environment

Starting from the parking area at Measdays Lookout on Mount Barker Road, Crafers West, this walk takes you on a circuit through the southern end of the Cleland Conservation Park. As you descend to the gully, you’ll reach the lovely creek and follow it through its length before crossing it and returning along the other side. This hike involves several creek crossings, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. The tracks are generally wide and well-formed, with some uneven and rocky sections. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Measday Hike

5.4 km circuit

2 h to 2 h 45 min

Environment

Starting from the car park on Brown Hill Creek Road, Mitcham, this walk takes you on a circuit through Brownhill Creek Recreation Park. The Wirraparinga Trail meanders around the Brownhill Creek valley, taking in the Aboriginal people history, following the narrow creek as it flows through the steep-sided valley covered with majestic river red gums, some more than 300 years old. The loop is well signposted, and there are several picnic tables dotted throughout the park. The Shared-Use Trail is wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams. Some sections can be slippery in winter and after heavy rains. Take care on the creek crossings and where you share the road with traffic. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Wirraparinga Trail Loop

5.4 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Wirraparinga Trail Loop

5.4 km

Circuit

Walk

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Pets

Environment

Main Ridge, Ambers Gully, Sugarloaves and Yurrebilla Track Loop

Main Ridge, Ambers Gully, Sugarloaves and Yurrebilla Track Loop

5.4 km circuit

2 h to 2 h 30 min

Starting from the Black Hill Conservation Park car park on Gorge Road, Athelstone, this walk takes you on a circuit within Black Hill Conservation Park via the Main Ridge, Ambers Gully, Sugarloaves and Yurrebilla tracks. There are also great opportunities to spot birds, kangaroos, koalas. From the higher points of the hike, walkers are rewarded with are breathtaking views of the park and the city. The trail is a mostly narrow walking track, with some fire track sections. There are some rocky ascents and descents throughout, which make this quite an exhilarating hike. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Morialta Three Falls Circuit

Morialta Three Falls Circuit

5.4 km circuit

2 h 30 min to 3 h

Starting from the car park at the end of Morialta Falls Road, Woodforde, this walk takes you on a circuit within Morialta Conservation Park past Deep View Lookout, the Three Falls, and Kookaburra Rock Lookout. Fourth Creek flows down the hills, forming waterfalls along the way. The walk leads around the edge of the gorge with views over the cliffs and the city of Adelaide, visiting all three waterfalls along the way. First Falls is the largest of the three, cascading around 40m over picturesque red vertical cliffs. Deep View lookout gives a panoramic view of the valley and over First Falls. From Deep View, the hike passes the beautiful Third and Second Falls before reaching the lookout below First Falls. The falls are best viewed after rain. The tracks are well-formed, mostly dirt and gravel, with some steep climbs and rocky sections. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the Stamford Hill Day Visitor Area at the end of Stamford Hill Road, Lincoln National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit past the summit of Stamford Hill via the Stamford Hill Loop Hike. This moderately challenging bushwalk initially climbs through native scrub to the top of Stamford Hill, offering spectacular panoramic views of Lincoln National Park, Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and numerous offshore islands, then descends towards Woodcutters Beach before passing the historic Woodcutters Ruins. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the area's natural history. Located at the summit of Stamford Hill is a monument to Matthew Flinders, erected in 1841. The walk begins from the Stamford Hill Day Visitor Area, which has toilets, a picnic area, shelters and ample parking space. Stamford Beach and Woodcutters Beach have sheltered waters that are relatively safe for swimming. This walk consists of wide and narrow walking trails, with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces, short steep hills and steps, suitable for moderate fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Stamford Hill Loop Hike

5.6 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h

Stamford Hill Loop Hike

Environment

Black Hill Summit Hike via Ghost Tree Gully, Banksia and Summit Tracks

Black Hill Summit Hike via Ghost Tree Gully, Banksia and Summit Tracks

5.7 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h

Starting from the Gate 6 car park at the end of Addison Avenue, Athelstone, this walk takes you on a circuit around Black Hill Conservation Park via the Ghost Tree Gully, Banksia and Summit Tracks. The hike initially follows the Ghost Tree Gully and Banksia tracks, climbing steadily towards the summit of Black Hill, which offers spectacular views across the Adelaide Plains and the surrounding metropolitan area. From the summit, the hike descends steeply back to the car park along the Summit Track. Keep a lookout for kangaroos, koalas and a variety of birds along the way. At the end of the walk, you can take a stroll through the landscaped Wildflower Garden on Addison Ave, which dates back to the late 1940s. This loop consists of fire tracks and narrow walking trails, with some steep hills and uneven rocky surfaces, suitable for moderate fitness levels. It can be done in either direction, with the anti-clockwise direction featuring the steeper section first, avoiding the rocky descent which can be slippery. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the Gate 1 car park on Hindmarsh Tiers Road, Hindmarsh Valley, this walk takes you on a circuit around Mount Billy Conservation Park via the Mount Billy Hike. Mount Billy Conservation Park features some of the best-preserved mallee and forest communities in the Mount Lofty Ranges, with low sheoak woodlands and tall forests of pink and blue gum that provide habitat for many native species of birds and animals. In spring, especially in the northern section, there's an abundance of wildflowers and orchids. This hike begins in the higher section of the park, passing through some of the varied vegetation communities, with a gradual descent to the lower section before a short steep climb to the peak of Mount Billy, which offers sweeping views across rolling green hills towards Victor Harbor, as far as the Bluff. This loop consists of well-signposted sandy fire tracks, with some short steep hills and uneven natural surfaces, suitable for average fitness levels. For a shorter option, the Banksia Hike is also accessible from the trailhead. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Mount Billy Hike

5.8 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h

Environment

Starting from the car park on Woodgate Hill Road, Kyeema, this walk takes you on a circuit around Kyeema Conservation Park via the Mulurus Hike. Located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kyeema Conservation Park covers over 347 hectares of dense native vegetation, with an overstorey of mainly messmate stringybark, with some pink gum and cup gum, towering over a thick and diverse understorey. The park provides habitat for animals such as southern brown bandicoots, swamp rats, echidnas and western grey kangaroos, and is a haven for birdwatchers, home to over 80 bird species, including White's thrush, beautiful firetail and the chestnut-rumped heathwren. The area was once mined for alluvial gold for several years, but was abandoned in 1890 due to low yield. A few years later, some of the land was cleared for pine plantations before being used as a labour prison reserve and a campground. Following the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983, the Friends of Kyeema Conservation Park started to revegetate cleared areas of the park. This moderately challenging loop walk winds through cup gum woodland, bushland scrub and dense, fern-filled gullies, providing walkers with the opportunity to spot some of the park's diverse birdlife along the way, as well as enjoy stunning displays of wildflowers in spring. This loop consists of narrow walking trails and fire tracks, with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces and short steep hills, suitable for moderate fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Myrtacee Hike

5.8 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Run

40 min to 1 h 15 min

Environment

O'Halloran Hill Northern Loop

O'Halloran Hill Northern Loop

5.9 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h

Starting from the Gate 12 car park at the intersection of Morphett Road and Gulfview Road, Seaview Downs, this walk takes you on a circuit around O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park via the O'Halloran Hill Northern Loop. Located in the southern suburbs, O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park, now part of Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta, consists mostly of grassy rolling hills with restored native vegetation that was formerly cleared for grazing. Walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and dogs are welcome in the park, which offers a large open space with an extensive network of fire tracks and shared-use trails. This is one of the quieter loops within the park, with fewer mountain bikers than other trails. It meanders across the grassland hills, offering excellent views of the city and coastline. This loop consists mostly of fire tracks, with some short steep hills and sections that may be muddy or overgrown, suitable for walkers and cyclists of average fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the car park at the end of Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield, this walk takes you up to Brown Hill and then aligns with Brownhill Creek before circling back to the start. The Brown Hill Creek Circuit offers stunning views of Adelaide city from the top of Brown Hill while also taking you through grassy open woodlands along the way. The creek itself is a highlight, rushing, burbling and providing refreshing scenery. Along the track, you might encounter a herd of cows, which are usually friendly and chill. However, this has a downside which is cow dung and flies. The downhill may be challenging for those with knee problems. After rainfall, it can get wet and muddy, especially around creek crossings. Despite these challenges, the beautiful scenery and views make the Brown Hill Creek Circuit worth the effort for many. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Brown Hill Creek Circuit

5.9 km circuit

2 h to 3 h

Brown Hill Creek Circuit

Pets

Environment

Deep Creek Cove Hike from Trig Campground

Deep Creek Cove Hike from Trig Campground

5.9 km return

2 h to 3 h 30 min

Starting from the Trig Campground Carpark at the end of Tent Rock Road, Deep Creek, this walk leads to Deep Creek Cove and back via the Deep Creek Cove Hike. Situated on the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, not far from Cape Jervis, Deep Creek Conservation Park is famous for its spectacular coastline with rugged cliffs, protected coves and sweeping views of the Southern Ocean and Kangaroo Island. The trail starts from the picnic area and carpark at the far end of Trig Campground, leading to a secluded cove where Deep Creek meets the ocean. Enjoy stunning ocean views as you descend. The trail descends gradually, with a steep section at the end of the hike into the cove that requires some rock scrambling. Sturdy shoes are recommended, as there are some rough sections with loose rocks on the ground. There isn't much shade on the trail, so remember to bring sunscreen. There is good signage along the way, and facilities at Trig Campground include toilets and large picnic shelter. The campsites are spacious with plenty of trees to provide protection from the elements, and each campsite also has its own fire pit. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment